Evaporating apparatus.



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APPLICATION FILED DBO.11, 1902.

an n. RSR@ F.M i, I .l .n n m u i www mw w .b mil m m .W uw NN v WQ MU o /NvENroH MEM A.; Anon/vers W/TNESSE S S Numb UNITE@ STATES .PATIENT FFICE.

EVAFORATING APPARATUS.

Be it known that I, Vitrina IC. JAQUns, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at (lrrand Rapids, in the county of lient and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in l.)esiccating or Iilvaporating ;\.pparatus; and I hereby declaro the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable y eflicient, and economical manner, without resulting' in a deterioration of or injury to the i resulting' product.

Another object is to ag'itate, whip, or beat the liquid or semiliquid into a foam or froth, then convey the foam or froth in a horizontal or approximately horizontal plane through and next below a currentof heated air, and then permitthe dry or partially-dried solid particles to descend or settle through an ascending' current of heated air.

\Vith this object in view and to realize other advantages hereinafter appearing' the said invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, largely in section and diagrammatic, of apparatus embodying' the said invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 2 2, Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3 3, Fig. l, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a receptacle which is supplied with the liquid or semiliquid which is to be agitated, whipped, or beaten into a Vfoam or froth within the interior chamber of the said receptacle, and p represents a valved chute or pipe arranged to feed the milk o1' liquid intothelower portion of the chamber' of the said receptacle. The pipe p is provided with a normally closed valve q. lVithin the lower portion of the chamber of the receptacle A is an agitator or beater, which comprises, preferably, a verti- Speccation of Letters atent.

'cation filed December 11,1902. Serial No. 134.803.

Patented Sept. 5, 1905.

cally-arrangeil hollow shaft l0 and a vertically -arranged solid shaft l2, extending through the hollow shaft Il). The shafts O and I2 are arranged centrally of the lower portion of the receptacle A and are driven in opposite directions, respectively. The hollow shaft i() is provided within the chamber of the receptacle A, in close proximity to the bottom of the said chamber, with radial arms I3, which have upwardly-projecting vertically-arranged blades la. ',lhe solid shaft #L2 extends into the chamber of the receptacle A above the blades Il of the arms of the hollow shaft and is provided at its upper end with radial arms 45, which have depending vertically-arranged blades l0, which are arranged as required to avoid interference withthe location and operation of the blades H of the hollow shaft and cooperate with the last-nientioned blades in ag'itating, whipping', or beating the liquid or seiniliqnid which is to be whipped or beaten into a Afoam or froth within the said receptacle A.

The shaft l2 is operatively provided with a spur-g'ear N, which is in mesh with a spurgear 8, with which a suitably-almlied driving-shaft 5l) is operatively provided, whereas the other shaft fh) is operatively provided with a spur-gear 52, which is driven, through the medium of a suitably-applied intermediate spur-gear 5l, Vfrom a spur-gear 53, operatively mounted on theiilriving-sha'ft 50. The froth or foam formed and accumulating within the upper portion of the chamber of the receptacle A over the agitator or beater within the said chamber is shoved or fed Vfrom the said chamber onto an endless conveyor, which comprises an endless imperforate belt B and isarranged in a horizontal or approximately horizontal plane. 'I lhe belt B leads over and Vfrictionally engages pulleys l), which are applied and supported in any approved Inanner. '.lhe belt Il forms the traveling' bottom of a drying-chamber AIC and extends, therefore, longitudinally of the said chamber.

The receptacle A is arranged in suitable proximity to the receiving end of the drying'- chamber E, and an open-ended trough G extends over the top of the receptacle A and bridges the space between the said recept-acle and the belt B and has its bottom closely overlapping' the said belt. 'lhe chamber of the trough G communicates at the top of the receptacle A, as at with the chamber of the said receptacle. 'lhe vfoam or froth formed within the receptacle rises into the trough Gr IOO IOS

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lin any approved manner.

and is shoved or fed longitudinally of and from the said trough onto th'e belt B- by an 'endless convcyer, which comprises an endless belt H, leadingl over and frictionally engaging pulleys J, which are supported in any approved manner. The belt H is provided at its outer side with wings K, which are arranged transversely of and at suitable intervals longitudinally of the belt and project outwardly from the said side of the said belt. The arrangement of the parts is such that the belt H somewhat overlaps the belt B, and

the wings K in passing through the trough G during the actuation of the belt H extend into close proximity to the bottom of the said trough. The belt H is actuated in the direction (indicated by the arrow) required to feed the froth or foam from the chamber of the receptacleA to the belt B. The wings K are preferably spaced such a distance apart that the passage-way formed by the trough Gr is always occupied by wings K, as shown in Fig. l, so that a current of air to the said drying-chamber E from and through the receptacle A cannot obtain, and the belt H, it will be observed, forms a top or cover for the interior chamber of the said trough.

One of the pulleys J is operatively mounted on a suitably-supported driving-shaft Q, which is provided with a driving-wheel R. One of the pulleys D is operatively mounted on a suitably-supported shaft T, which is operatively provided with a sprocket-wheel U, operatively connected by a chain W with a sprocket-wheel Z, operatively mounted on a shaft L, which is intergeared, as at N, with the shaft Q. Obviously, therefore, the belt B is actuated in the same directionrequired to feed the foam or froth delivered thereon by the belt H longitudinally of the dryingchamber E toward the discharging end of the said chamber.

Next over the drying-chamber E is arranged a hot-air chamber Z, which contains a steam radiator or heater m, applied and operated The chamber Z extends preferably from over the receiving end of the drying-chamber E toward lthe discharging end of the said chamber a suitable distance. rlhe chamber Z is provided at the top with an air-inlet a and extends somewhat over the belt H. The chamber Z vis provided adjacent to the belt H with an arcshaped wall 0, which extends concentrically of the shaft Q, and is arranged far enough from the belt H to accommodate the location and operation of the said belt and the wings K of the belt.

The side walls of the trough Gr form an extension of the side walls of the drying-chamembracing the path of the wings K such a distance relative to the spacing apart of the Wings K that one wing K is at all times in position obstructing the space between the wall 0 and the belt Hthat is, that as soon as a wing K during the operation of the belt H is in position to leave the said space the next succeeding wing K will be in position to enter thesaid space. It will be observed, therefore, that the construction and arrange ment of the parts are such that external air cannot freely enter the forward end of the drying-chamber E at any time.

The upper portion of the chamber E, about centrally between the ends of the said chamber, is provided with a partition j, which extends transversely of the said chamber. The bottom of the hot-air chamber Z, which bottom is instrumental in forming the top of the drying-chamber E, is forminated, being provided forward of the partition -that is, between the said partition and the belt H-with perforations s, which establish communication between the chamber Z and the drying-chamber E.

The drying-chamber E communicates at its rear end and at the top with a vapor-conducting passage-way or outlet c, which connects and communicates with the inlet of a suitably-operated pump or suction-creating device c.

Another drying-chamber a is vertically arranged next below the rear end of the belt B and extends upwardly around the rear end Y of the said belt and there communicates with the rear and discharging end of the dryingchamber E. The passage-way c is therefore also the vaporoutlet of the vertically-arranged drying-chamber c. Hence both drying-chambers E and t have a vapor-outlet c in common. The chamber CZ is formed by a casing 7). The chamber CZ communicates at the top with the drying-chamber E and centrally of its lower end has a downwardly-discharging outlet tZ. The lower' end portion e of the casing b tapers downwardly, and the outlet Z is formed at the lower end of the said lower end portion e of the said casing.

A heating-jacket or air-heating chamber f surrounds the lower end portion e of the casing b and extends, preferably, a suitable distance below the lower end of the chamber a, and a steam radiator or heater ZL is arranged within the said jacket or chamber f.

A suitably-supported imperforate deflector l0 overhangs the upper end of the dryingchamber a and is arranged below the vaporoutlet c.. The deiiector lO forms one of the side walls of a trough l2, whose interior chamber is arranged to receive any water resulting from condensation of vapors within the vaporoutlet o, and a drain-pipe 11 communicates with the lowest portion of the chamber 12.

A conveyer-containing case 30, which is arranged in a horizontal plane next below the I'Io outlet f? of the chamber nl, extends outside of the said jacket or hot-air chamberf. An aperture 32, which is Vformed in the top of the case 3d, registers with the outlet f/ and consequently *forms the inlet of the said case. A screw conveyer 33 is arranged within and longitudinally of the case 3l) and extends from end to end of the said case. The conveyer 33 extends from within the receiving end of the case Si() that is, from in under the inlet 3Q of the said case VV--to the opposite or discharging end of the said case. The case 3l) is provided at the last-mentioned end and externally of the chamber or jacket j' and at the bottom with a downwardly-discharging opening or outlet 34E, and the conveyer is operatively provided at one end and outside of the said case with a driving-wheel 35, to which power is applied in any approved manner.

'lhe jacket or chamber f is provided at its lower end with lateral apertures or air-inlets 6d, arranged at suitable intervals around the said chamber, and the down\\'ardlytapering lower end portion c of the casing foraminated, having lateral apertures or perforations o2 arranged a suitable distance above its lower extremity and establishing connu unication between the drying-chamber f/ and the hot-air chamber-f. The apertures 62 constitute the air-outlets of thc chamberfand the air-inlets of the drying-chamber n, and heated air passes, therefore, through the said perforations 62 into the said drying-chamber. The lower end portion fr of the casing is provided internally with funnel-shaped guards ($3, arranged to prevent solid particles which descend or settle within the dryiiig-chamber f/ from passing into the hot-air chamber .7" through the perforations The operation of the herein be'fore-described apparatus is as follows: The pump or suction-creating device y/t is operated to create enough suction in the vapor-outlet n to cause a current of heated air to pass Vfrom the hotair chamber through the perforations s, into and through the diying-clianil )er E, and in under the partition Ijin its passage rearwardly longitudinally of the said dryingchamber. A current of heated air therefore obtains along' and next to or in close proximity to the belt B. Heated air is also caused to pass into the dryi11g-chamber f at the perforations 62 and a current of hot air upwardly through the chamber obtains. The liquid or semiliquid to be dcsiccated or evaporated and supplied tothe receptacle A is agitated, whipped, or stirred by the operation ofthe shafts t0 and 4t2 into a froth or 'foam, which rises into the path of the wings l( of the belt H, and the said belt is actuated to cause the said foam or Yfroth to be shoved or fed by the wings li along' the trough G- onto the belt l, which is actuated to feed the froth or foam thus delivered thereto rearwardly, and thereby expose the said material to the currentof heated l air passino' rearwardly over the belt B. The said material is dried or partially dried on the belt/, and thedried or partially-driedniateriad is discharged from the belt B into the upper end of the drying-chamber Hf, where any remaining trace of moisture is removed from thepartially-dried material by the currentof heated ail-*passing upwardly through the said chaiilber af. Any moisture absorbed by the upward current of air within the dryingchamber 1/ escapes with the said air at the vapor-outlet c. Any solid constituents of the froth or foam lo be evaporated or desiceated which pass to and impinge against the downwardly-facing surfaces of the dellector 10 are deflected or returned downwardly, and hence the escape of solid particles to the vapor-outlet c is prevented. A suitably-applied scraper r is arranged within the upper portion of the drying-cbamber f in position to remove from the belt B any material adhering to the said belt. The dried or partially-dried solid particles descending from the belt l into the drynig-chamber fr during the operation of the apparatus settle by gravity into the lower portion of the said chamber, and obviously the said particles descend more slowly as they become drier. lhe solid particles thus descending through the lower portion of the dryingchamber f/ will be perfectly dry by the time they reach the discharge aperture or outlet lf of the said chamber and will pass through the inlet 32 of the conveyer-case 30 and be fed by the conveyer 33 to the outlet 3 of the said case.

- rlhe evaporating or desiccating process carried out by the operation of the apparatus hereinbefore described constitutes the subjectmatter of a contemporaneous application liled simultaneously with the liling of this application.

'hat l claim is@ l. Desiccating or evaporating apparatus comprising the following: a receptacle; means Vfor agitating a liquid or semiliquid within the said receptacle into a froth; a drying-chamber arranged externally of and in suitable proximity to the aforesaid receptacle; a conveyer arranged to carry the material to be evaporated or desiccated through the dryingchamber; means for operating the conveyer, means Vfor establishing a current of heated air through the drying-chamber; and means for removing the said froth from the said receptacle onto the said conveyor.

Q. The combination, with means for agitating a liquid or semiliquid into a froth, of a drying-chainber; a conveyer arranged to receive the froth and carry the material longitudinally of and through the dryiiig-chamber; means for operating the conveyer; means for establishing' a bot-air current through the drying-chamber, and means for delivering the froth to the conveyer.

3. The combination, with a receptacle, and

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' means for conveying froth from over the said agitator toward and onto the belt.

4E. rlhe combination, with a receptacle, an agitator arranged Within the lower portion of vthe said receptacle, and means for operating the said agitator, of a drying-chamber arranged in a horizontal or approximately horizontal plane and extending from adjacent the said receptacle; an endless belt forming the bottom of and extending longitudinally of the said chamber; means for operating the said belt; an open-ended trough arranged to discharge onto the said belt and in open relation, at the bottom, with the interior chamber of the aforesaid receptacle above the aforesaid agitator; means for conducting vapor from the drying-chamber, and means for conveying froth rising into the trough from the said receptacle along the trough and onto'the aforesaid belt.

5. The combination, with a receptacle; means for agitating a liquid or semiliquid within the said receptacle into a froth; a drying-chamber arranged externally of and in suitable proximity to the aforesaid receptacle; a conveyer arranged to carry the material to be evaporated or desiccated through the drying-chamber, and means for conducting vapors from the said chamber, of an endless belt provided, at its outer side, with projecting Wings which extend transversely of the` belt and are arranged to feed froth from the A aforesaid receptacle toward and onto the aforesaid conveyor, and means for operating the said belt.

6. The combination, with a receptacle, and means for agitating a liquid or semiliquid within the said receptacle into a froth, of a drying-chamber arranged externally of and in suitable proximity to the aforesaid receptacle; an endless belt instrumental in forming the bottom and extending longitudinally of the said chamber; an open-ended trough extending from and communicating `with the upper portion of the chamber of the aforesaid receptacle to and `discharging onto the said belt; means for conducting vapors from the drying-chamber; another endless belt formingv a top or cover for the trough and provided, at its outer side, .with projecting wings arranged to feed .froth along the ltrough to the drying-chamber, and means for operating the endless belts.

7. The combination, with a drying-chamber; an endless belt for carrying material through the said chamber, and means for conducting vapors from the drying-chamber, of

another endless belt provided, at its outer side, with projecting wings arranged to feed froth into the drying-chamber, and an openended hood overhanging the winged belt above the other belt.

8. The combination, with a drying-chamber; an endless belt for carrying material through the drying-chamber; means for operating the belt; a partition arranged transversely of the upper portion of the dryingchamber at a suitable point between the ends of the chamber; an air chamber arranged above the drying-chamber and communicating with the drying-chambervforward of the said partition; means for heating the air supplied to the said air-chamber, and means for permitting the escape of vapors from the drying-chamber at the rear end of the said chamber.

9. The combination, with a receptacle; means for agitating a liquid or semiliquid within the said receptacle into a froth; an upright drying-chamber arranged a suitable distance from and laterally of the aforesaid receptacle, and means for establishing a current of air upwardly through. the said dryingchamber, of an upper drying-.chamber communicating, at one end, With the upper end of the aforesaid upright drying-chamber and extendinginto suitable proximityto the aforesaid receptacle; means forconveyingthe froth from the said receptacle to the upper dryingchamber, and means for conducting the material to be desiccated or evaporated through the said upper chamber into the upper end of the said upright chamber.

l0. The Acombination of means for frothing a liquid or semiliquid, means for establishing a current of heated air in .one plane, means for establishing a current of heated air in another plane at an angle to the first-mentioned plane, and means for conveying froth along the first-mentioned air-current :into the other air-current.

11. The combination of means for frothing a liquid or semiliquid, means for establishing an ascending current of heated air, means for conveying the froth to the ascending air-current, and means for partially drying the froth during its passage to the said air-current.

l2. The combination of means for frothing va liquid .or.se.mivliquid, an upright dryingchamber, an initial chamber arranged at one side of and discharging into the upper-endof :the upright drying-chamber, and means for feeding' froth through the initial drying-chamber into the upright drying-chamber.

In :testimony whereof I sign the foregoing specification, in the presence of two witnesses, this 6th day of December, 1902at Cleveland,

Ohio.

WILLIAM E. JAQUES. Witnesses:

C. H. DORE-1 1, TnLsA SCHWARTZ.

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